Abstract
Introduction: Adolescent pregnancy is a global issue and the trend is increasing specially in South East Asia. Pregnancies at a younger age have major maternal and fetal health consequences. The aim of this study was to compare selected maternal and fetal outcomes of adolescent pregnancies with its adult counterpart in atertiary care center. Methods: A hospital based descriptive study was conducted at Teaching Hospital Mahamodara (THM), Galle. One hundred adolescent mothers (10-19 years) were compared with 100 adult mothers (20 -35 years) who had singleton uncomplicated pregnancy. Pre-tested interviewer administered questionnaire was used as the tool to collect data on basic demography, perinatal, maternal outcomes and mode of delivery. Chi-squared test and t-test were used to compare data and presented as proportions, mean (SD), with 95% CI. Results: Mean (SD) age at delivery of adolescent and adult mothers were 18 (0.2) and 27 (0.8) years respectively. Of the adolescent mothers 16% were unmarried. More adolescent mothers had anaemia compared to adults (38% vs. 32%), but the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.37). Adolescent mothers had higher pre term delivery rate compared to adult mothers (23% vs.15%) but the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.18). There were no significant differences in birth weight (2.77 vs. 2.82; p=0.5) rate of admissions to premature baby unit (6% vs. 7%; p=0.8) and mean APGAR scores (9.9 vs 9.8; p=0.3) between the two groups. A significantly greater proportion of vaginal deliveries were carried out in adolescents compared to adults (75% vs. 55%; p= 0.003). Conclusions: Adolescent mothers underwent a significantly larger proportion of vaginal deliveries compared to adults. Though not significant, anaemia and preterm deliveries were higher than in their adult counter-parts. There was no significant difference between the two groups for the selected perinatal outcomes.
Highlights
Adolescent pregnancy is a global issue and the trend is increasing specially in South East Asia
There was no significant difference in the mean Period of Gestation (POG) at delivery between adolescent and adult mothers (37.8 vs. 38.0 weeks p=0.7)
The study found that adolescent mothers were more likely to have vaginal delivery and had more of them affected with Pre Term Delivery (PTD) and anaemia than in their adult counter-parts even though the differences were not significant
Summary
Adolescent pregnancy is a global issue and the trend is increasing specially in South East Asia. Adolescent pregnancies are a global problem occurring in high, middle, and low-income countries. According to UNICEF, adolescent period is a vulnerable phase in human development and it represents a transition from childhood to physical and psychological maturity. During this period, adolescents learn and develop their knowledge. Adolescents are neither physically nor psychologically ready for pregnancy or childbirth This reproductive event makes them more vulnerable to complications resulting in devastating health consequences. Complications during pregnancy and childbirth are the leading cause of death for 15-19 year-old girls globally [4] It is a health as well as economic burden to a low resource setting country with higher rates of adolescent pregnancies due to its added complications and social impact.
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